2008 BMW 5 Series problems
The 2008 BMW 5 Series has 140 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (34%) concerns fuel system. After that come engine (29%) and electrical system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 140 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 34% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 28,000 miles 128 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 44 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 41 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 13 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 128 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 28,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 22,000 miles (46 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 81% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the BMW 5 Series with enough data (118 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I was routinely emptying the trunk of my 2008 BMW 528I on august 1, 2009. I had to return to the cab and my right calf brushed against the exposed chrome tailpipes for no more than a second. The tailpipe was so hot, I got a second degree burn about 5 inches long. I went to the emergency room to have the wound dressed as it was blistering and I was concerned about infection. I have contacted BMW but they deny there is any danger. This injury could happen again to me or another party.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 BMW 535xi (na). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine began smoking. The dealer made three attempts to diagnose the failure. The high pressure fuel pump was replaced but it cracked again. The vehicle was being repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was 30,100. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Ground wire for passenger side tail light burned up. Ground wire, both sides of electrical connector, and tail light bulb holder all burned up. Passenger side brake light, tail light, turn signal and back up light do not function at all. Improperly rated fuse did not blow before circuit burned up and melted. This circuit is not designed correctly. This is a safety hazard to myself and anyone driving behind me. Car model is a 2008 528xi.
I purchased a new BMW 535I on may 26, 2008 and on aug 8, 2008 while I was driving my car at 70 miles and hour the car started was shaking as if running on 3 cylinders. There was a message from the car stating engine malfunction reduced power! I waited 3 hours for a tow truck and after a few days I received a call from richmond BMW stating I needed a new high pressure fuel injection system. I said fine and then received a call the next day saying my car was ready.
Vehicle is 2008 BMW 535xi wagon. Blocked sunroof drains meant that water drained into the vehicle, gathering in the trunk where the electronics sit. Car had multiple engine failures and warnings of transmission failure, electrical failure, sunroof error and tpm failure. Cause per BMW was blockage of rear sunroof drain. This is a common fault caused by poor design of the sunroof drains (too narrow and prone to blocking).